Should I go? Is it even possible? No way. I could never get off work on such short notice! I guess… it wouldn’t hurt to try…?

Could the stars align so beautifully to allow me to go on this road trip with my boyfriend and some of his family out to Colorado?

Why yes. Yes they did. And I went!

Hours before they were due to leave on a hunting trip out to Colorado I requested off from work and it came back approved. Within two hours I was packed and ready to go. I grabbed my backpack, my safepac, and went to my mothers house to pick up her hiking boots and my brothers duffel bag to prepare for a week long trip! This wasn’t just some trip either. Or a simple camping trip. We were headed out to the mountain tops of a ranch where my boyfriends grandfather (from here forward known as Pop) used to live at as a boy. The goal of this trip was for Pop to teach my boyfriend how to survive in the wild and hunt an elk. My boyfriends little brother and father were going too, but they brought their luxuries to keep them feeling comfortable. I wanted to know what it would be like to survive it rough-like, though. So that is how I packed. Brought only what would keep me warm, toothpaste, toothbrush and wet wipes to keep me clean. You would think that wouldn’t require as many bags as it did, but I packed for a cold ride.

Even with all the “warming” things I brought it still didn’t prepare me enough for the cold winter nights up in the mountains. Two layers of pants, 3 layers of shirts and a hoodie, wrapped under a large blanket and a sleeping bag under a fastened tarp used as shelter and still chattering my teeth. As I laid their freezing and shivering all I can pray for is to get an elk tomorrow and praise for its sacrifice so we don’t have 4 more nights of this.

After waking up several times and going to the camp fire a couple times to rewarm myself, it was time to get back up and prepare for the hunt. Just me, my boyfriend and his pop. I brush my teeth, put on the required orange vest and hat and we’re off.

It was a different world up there. Its hard for me to explain. I was more vulnerable and at the mercy of nature. It put me in my place, if you will. I was awakened to a whole new appreciation of nature and it humbled me.

We trekked. Stopped. Listened. Trekked again. Followed the animal tracks and repeated the whole thing over. Before I knew it we were 2 miles out and the sun was coming up and we hear guns shots firing a few miles to our right. We are on top of another large hilltop and I could sense their shots were going to lead “game” our way (and in now way was this a game to me. I took this very seriously. Our purpose was to hunt an elk and that meant an animals life was going to be taken because of our intentions).

Sure enough Bang! Bang! Bang! These other hunters are trigger happy! Next thing we know we see a fleet of elk stampede from the direction of the shots. Pop get his gun ready and we are booking it as best we can down the other side of this steep hilltop trying not to slip on the snow and fall down. Pops loading his gun, stops and takes aim, but we missed out. The crowd of elk have already run out of sight.

Until another bunch comes running behind. Again the chase is on! Pop runs closer, yanks off his gloves and throws it behind him. I pick it up and follow close, he takes aim, fires, and misses. About 4 bunches of elk pass and another glove tossed we are short on a kill. Until one last group of elk come through. This bunch is very confused with all the noise bouncing from the mountain tops. A few stop to listen in the direction of the danger, but unfortunately one of them bravely didn’t make it. Bang! Pop lowers his gun and my boyfriend informs us the elk has dropped.

Pop stays behind to catch his breath and control his adrenaline, but we both go up the other hill where the elk lays. We find it, but he is still breathing and alive. As I watch him lay there inhaling hard I can feel the strength in his breath and his confusion. Or maybe it was just me. Because next thing I know I begin to hyperventilate and tears come streaming out uncontrollably. I have to go another direction. Any direction. Just calm down and collect myself. I then realize that this may be in no way helping this elk feel any more comfortable. I don’t even know how the elk is feeling! Or if he is even bothered! Or if he was okay with this ending. All this made me more upset, but if it were me, I would want my hunter to show more respect instead of walk away and wait for me to die. So I turn back and go to the elk. I thanked him the night before and this morning for his sacrifice before we even met him personally, but now I thanked him again face to face.

By this time Pop is up the hill with us and takes aim for the kill shot. I wont bother describing that part to you, but I will say it was completely different than what we think it would be or what we see in the movies. Pop then shares some words of wisdom about how strong these animals are and that they feel pain differently than humans. He says they can have a broken bone in their leg and they are still moving around and keep up with their herd, unlike humans if we broke a bone in our leg we wouldn’t be able to do anything. This bit of info made me feel a bit better about the whole thing, and the entire experience gave me a whole new found respect.

We skinned the body and took the meat back to freeze overnight. After one more chilling night we packed our things and drove our way back home to civilization. About half way home, though, we stopped at a motel so we all could take showers and freshen up for the remainder of the drive. I slept like a baby the rest of the way.

As I mentioned the entire trip was something I had been asking for for a long time. I wanted to be able to just take a trip on a moments notice and stuff some bags and be off on my new adventure! I did just that and I learned so much more about myself and how there really are two different worlds here on earth. There is the one we live in everyday, with conveniences everywhere we turn and then there is the wild where you have to work for everything and there is nothing convenient about it.

This Thanksgiving I am Thankful for the opportunities I have been blessed with this past year and being able to move forward with all the new knowledge I have gained

I hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving this year and share with others what you are thankful for. No matter where you are I hope you have a great time and a safe trip!

The candle. Between this and music during the day it is very relaxing and helps me become re-inspired in all departments of my life.

My week was booked full of working and going out with friend and family. Though socialism can be exhausting at times for an introvert-extrovert person that I am, I am back to a clean slate.

[Pictures of the Dallas Botanical Gardens; Chihuly Glass Exhibit]

Catching up with very good friends and ex-colleges and close family and to top it off making new friends all in one week is a lot of good in a very short amount of time. I cherish every moment and take it all in, but that still doesn’t stop it from being a bit too overwhelming. A night by myself was in order.

I was not looking forward to a night all by my lonesome as my lovely spent the night at my brother-on-laws house to prepare for their big game today, but I am grateful for the results. I spent the night getting my room maxed out in the cozy factor; straightening up (yes, I am one of those people who cannot relax if the room is messy) and lighting candles. I turned on the TV to Austin Powers (anyone else watch that last night?) until I fell asleep.

Though I woke up to Miko sitting on my stomach and pawing at my face to take her out, the night was still the perfect remedy for a feel good and revitalizing morning.

Speaking of a good morning(!). I forgot to measure and weigh myself before eating breakfast and drinking water this morning, but that didn’t get in the way of seeing great results on the scale! I lost 4.4 lbs and SIX inches off my Total body Inches Measurements. I was very shocked for such great results! I will confess I was not completely strict on the diet; I still had toast with soup and hot cocoa 5 out of the 6 days I am not supposed to “cheat”. But I really didn’t expect to have lost THAT much!

Overall a very RE-inspirational week and back to my personal goals that will forever change my life <3

Your goals should never be forgotten and take a short break if need be, but always get back to your purpose! Keep nurturing your ideas and they will grow to be the best thing that ever happened to you! Have a wonderful and Bright day!

The weather is specially different in Texas today as it is a high of 54 degrees sandwiched by days in the 70’s and 80’s. Even more special is the great event here in Fort Worth known as Bark-tober Fest where they hold their annual Howl-oween Costume Contest for mans best friends.

My lovely and I took Miko in her cute ladybug costume that I bought for fun last Halloween. For those wondering Miko is about a year and a half years old and a spit-fire ball of energy. This event would be one of the greatest she would experience so far and hopefully expend some of that energy she has!

The park, which is about a half acre big, was swimming with dogs and their humans. One side is normally dedicated to the larger dogs while the other would occupy the smaller breeds of dogs. The entire side where the larger dogs play was comfortably packed and to add to the fun there were booths of all sorts lined up with all sorts of fun goodies for our furry counterparts and a few bounce houses for the kids to play in.

We arrived earlier than the costume contest was to start so we took our little girl to the small side and had her run around before the event started. Yipping and yelping she excitedly joins the other dogs making several friends and annoying a few others (haha).

Now, Miko LOVES (loves doesn’t even describe it enough) water! But today she almost died from it as well. Whenever we go to the park she goes straight for the community water bowls, buckets and tubs for all the dogs and rapidly drinks water and bathes herself in the buckets or tubs. Here is a video to one of her typical escapades.

So, obviously we always carry a spare towel in the car for these moments of triumph :)

Today though, she goes up to one of the buckets, full of water this time (usually they are half empty), and dives right in. We think it will fall over soon, like always, or she will get herself out, but in a quick turn of events she starts struggling to find her way out as her front end is deep in the bucket and her back end is flailing about. We are close by and jump to her rescue. Our hearts pounding we grab our towel and have her put up on the table.

She is just fine! In fact I don’t think she even realized she was in a very dangerous situation!*

*Dogs are amazing in this way, they are constantly living in the moment. To me, I believe humans have a certain delay in response time, but for dogs its literally boom-boom-boom, they are 20 moments ahead of you already.

She is just wagging her tail, excited to be toweled dry and ready to join the other dogs in the chilly weather once again. I was so relieved as it was one of those times where I felt like one moment everything is okay and the next you can immediately see the helplessness. I was just glad we acted fast and Miko is safe!

Everyone was worried and watching, but once they saw her big smile and how quickly she recovered they all laughed and started exclaiming how energetic and happy she is.

Life can take you by surprise as today has, but luckily it ended well for us all.

After moving around for a while and visiting with all the cutie-pies that pranced over to lick our hands it was time for the costume contest! The contest went so well that only pictures can describe its greatness, enjoy!

Here are the finalists of the contest:

Third Place went to……

SLASH!

Second place went to…..

The Mariachi Band!

And finally. What we have all been waiting for. First place went tooo……

OSCAR THE GROUCH! :D

We met so many great people and so many beautiful and diverse pups today. I will say that this event was an extraordinary highlight of the season and I hope you enjoyed it too!

“Being busy does not always mean real work. The object of all work is production or accomplishment and to either of these ends there must be forethought, system, planning, intelligence, and honest purpose, as well as perspiration. Seeming to do is not doing. ” –Thomas Edison

I concur whole-heartily Mr. Edison. Where ever it is we are headed in our personal life is a journey worth being awake for. I do not mean “awake” in the sense of waking up from a nap, but awake to the fact that whatever you dream of, you can have. You must put forth real effort and take true strides that go up the stairs, not staying in one place and making the motions as if on a stair-stepper. There is viable differences in keeping busy towards your dreams as opposed to simply keeping busy.

I thought it would be nice to give you an idea of who I am and who I want to be. Who you are reading from/about really? For starters I want to share with you an abridged list of things I want and want to accomplish, this includes materialistic things, what I want to do and what I want to be. I think it is something everyone should have/make for themselves! It is quite a fun list to make when you open your mind and your heart to what you really want out of this life!

Keep in mind, none of these are in any particular order :)

a. Italian citizenship

b. iPhone 4S

c. Grab and go travel secure bag/purse

d. Successful entrepreneur (good to be specific ;) )

e. Pilot a helicopter

f. Being able and spontaneously taking a plane trip to where-ever I want (!)

g. Travel to Italy

h. Build an awesome, off the grid, totally livable, tree-house (ridiculous sounding ones are typically the best to experience)

i. Lose all the extra weight I have gained over the years

Think I could have made it any more difficult for myself? Of course, but I am not going into that today. ;) haha

I have been working solely on a few. In fact I found and purchased my “Grab and Go, travel secure, Bag/Purse” The Pacsafe Venturesafe 300.

So far, I absolutely love this bag! There is so much room and organizational pockets that I have had no issues with it holding all of my stuff with plenty more room left over. I really want to test this out as an overnight bag for when the time comes to take that spontaneous trip I can just load this bad boy up with an extra set of clothes (and the necessary hygienic accessories i.e. toothbrush, toothpaste, deo etc) and go!

d. I have the idea and the product, but I am still researching the legalities perspective of starting a business :(. I know that after this hump I have it pretty well planned out! I am excited!

i. Started the Slow Carb Diet today… Yea. hah, thats all I really have to say! Just kidding, its not the most joyous diet I’ve been on, like weight watchers and calorie counting, but reality is you have to make sacrifices to lose the weight and who said that was supposed to be fun?! Alas, I will see the worth and results of this diet clearly enough in the coming weeks :)

I hope you had a bright day! I will leave you with this cute picture of Miko <3

Personally, I would have no idea how to craft and interpret something that inspired me in such a beautiful way that she has, but this was so simple and adorable I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to share!

Also, to be honest, I had never heard of the film Fantastic Mr.Fox until I read her post. She describes the movie and some characters without giving the story line away, immediately I knew through her post it was something I had to watch and experience too!

With that said; Aspire to your dreams and everything you do put forth intent from the heart. There is nothing stronger and flaws do not exist. When there is true and honest intentions coming from the heart, without realizing, you reflect that to those around you and they will see how much you truly care. This is what creates pure happiness and leads us to greater and more worthwhile lives that I can only wish for everyone.

I wish I could make this a reality for everyone I come into contact with, but it is a path we each have to walk for ourselves. Not to say, “Don’t ask for help” because we all need help sometimes, but it is our own journey that no one else can walk it for us.

Continue to reach for your dreams for they appear to be dwelling with the stars, but are only arms length away. –Me! :3

If anyone has ever watched the film “Fantastic Mr. Fox”, which is a must see for people of all ages(!), then I know you will appreciate this post by a fellow blogger. She crafted a dress for her young daughter inspired by this fun stop-motion animation!

I’m so thrilled to be a part of film petit this month, a ridiculously awesome series hosted by Kristin from skirt as top and Jessica from A Little Gray. For the series, Kristin, Jessica and a guest choose a favorite movie to use as inspiration for original children’s wear.

These ladies have fantastic taste in movies and incredible vision and sewing skills, so if you haven’t checked out the first two installments, A Life Aquatic and Amelie, check them out here and here.

When we were discussing movies for this month’s film petit, we were all drawn to several Wes Anderson titles (really, which Anderson film aren’t we inspired by??). But we couldn’t deny how perfect Fantastic Mr. Fox would be for this season. Not only is it a witty, well made, hilarious movie, but we loved the warm, rich, golden tones of the film, the amazing…

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I'm here sharing my experiences, using techniques that I have adopted along the way to achieve my life goals. Join me on my blog and explore the diverse crafts, personal research and successes (as they come).